This article explains how to block the receipt of an SMS from a contact in the phone book or from a specific number. In the latter case you must have already received a message from the number in question to be able to block it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Block a Sender from the Messages App
Step 1. Launch the iPhone Messages app by tapping the icon
It features a white speech bubble on a green background.
- This procedure is perfect for blocking the reception of messages sent by a specific person, regardless of whether it is registered in the iPhone address book or not. To block receiving SMS from one of the contacts in the iPhone address book use this method
- If the number you want to block has contacted you by phone, start the app Phone, access the tab Recent, then skip the next step.
Step 2. Select an SMS
Tap the message you got from the person you want to block. You have the option to block any contact or phone number from which you have received an SMS.
If after launching the Messages app a screen of one of the existing conversations appears, press the "Back" button in the upper left corner of the screen to access the main screen of the application
Step 3. Tap the ⓘ icon
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen. Details of the selected conversation will be displayed.
Step 4. Tap the name or number of the sender of the message
The detailed information of the contact will be displayed.
Step 5. Scroll down the page to be able to select the Block Contact option
It is located at the bottom of the "Info" screen.
Step 6. Press the Block Contact button when prompted
This will add the selected contact or number to the iPhone's blocked senders list. Any future messages from this number will be automatically blocked and the sender will not receive any notification of this.
If you need to delete a number or contact from the blocked list, launch the app Settings, select the item Messages, tap the option Blocked, push the button Edit, then press the button - placed next to the phone number or contact you want to unblock.
Method 2 of 3: Block a Contact from the Settings App
Step 1. Launch the iPhone Settings app by tapping the icon
It is characterized by a gray gear and is placed in the Home of the device.
This method is ideal when you need to block one of the existing contacts in the phone book and prevent the possibility of sending you an SMS. However, it is not possible to perform the same operation with a number not present in the phone book. If you want to block further SMS from an unknown number that has already contacted you, you can use this method
Step 2. Scroll down the list and select the Messages option
It is located approximately in the middle of the "Settings" menu.
Step 3. Scroll down the "Messages" screen to be able to select the Blocked item
It is located in the middle of the page, in the "SMS / MMS" section.
Step 4. Scroll through the new menu that appeared and tap Add New…
It is located at the bottom of the blocked numbers list.
If the list of blocked numbers is empty, only the indicated option will be present, so you will not need to scroll the page
Step 5. Select a contact
Scroll through your phone book until you find the person you want to block, then tap the corresponding name - this will add them to the list of blocked contact names.
Method 3 of 3: Filter Messages Received from Unknown Numbers Using iMessage
Step 1. Launch the iPhone Settings app by tapping the icon
It is characterized by a gray gear and is placed in the Home of the device.
Step 2. Scroll down the list and select the Messages option
It is located within the fifth group of items in the "Settings" menu.
Step 3. Scroll down the appeared menu to be able to activate the white slider "Filter unknown messages"
It will take on a green color
. At this point the iPhone will automatically filter messages from unknown senders (not present in the contact list), displaying them in a separate tab in the Messages app.
Within the Messages app there will be two tabs: Contacts and SMS And Unknown. You will not receive any notification of messages that will automatically be placed on the "Unknown" tab.
Advice
If you are receiving a large number of text messages from unknown senders, contact your cell phone line manager. In this way, the number manager will be directly responsible for blocking the spam SMS you are receiving, since the support staff have much more powerful tools at their disposal than yours
Warnings
- Unfortunately, the iOS operating system does not allow you to block the receipt of all SMS except those sent by allowed numbers. You can only block numbers that are already in your phone book or from which you have already received an SMS.
- It is not possible to add a phone number to the blocked list without first having received a call or having stored it in the device's address book.
